In a significant address, the chairman of the 22nd Law Commission of India has made a powerful call for the Indianization of the nation's legal framework, emphasizing the enduring strength of the country's civilizational ethos.
A Call for Rootedness in Indian Civilisation
Justice (Retired) Dinesh Maheshwari asserted that Indian civilization possesses a permanent character with an innate capacity to withstand all challenges. He delivered these remarks during a lecture titled ‘Indian Knowledge System and Constitution’ at Lok Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday. The event saw Governor Rajendra Arlekar delivering the inaugural address.
Maheshwari highlighted that India's core strength is not found in a monolithic unity, but in its profound and essential diversity. This diversity, he explained, has historically demonstrated the power to absorb, assimilate, and imbibe values such as tolerance, acceptance, and non-violence.
From Artificial to Authentic Intelligence
In a thought-provoking segment relevant to our times, Justice Maheshwari addressed the growing influence of technology. He noted that in this era of rapid digitization, where artificial intelligence holds significant sway, there is a pressing need to prioritize ‘Authentic Intelligence’ over its artificial counterpart.
He argued that humane values like compassion, kindness, and other virtues are inherent only in ‘Authentic Intelligence’. This shift in focus, he suggested, is crucial for a society that aims to remain grounded in its ethical and moral foundations while navigating technological advancement.
Constitution as a Continuum of Civilizational Ethos
Echoing the central theme, Governor Rajendra Arlekar emphasized the duty of every Indian to propagate the rich values of Indian civilization. He drew a direct parallel between the flow of the Indian knowledge system and the principles embedded in the Constitution.
"In fact, the flow of Indian knowledge system and the values enshrined in Constitution maintain the same flow of ‘humaneness’ and ‘dharma’." the Governor stated. He powerfully concluded that "Our constitution itself is a continuum of our civilizational ethos."
The lecture underscored a growing discourse on decolonizing India's legal and intellectual spaces by actively integrating the country's ancient wisdom and knowledge systems into its contemporary governance and legal structures.
